*Finesse&nbsp;ISO or DVD ('''Note:''' We strongly recommend that you install Finesse by configuring a DataStore ISO file on the virtual CD/DVD drive of the target VM.)

*Finesse&nbsp;ISO or DVD ('''Note:''' We strongly recommend that you install Finesse by configuring a DataStore ISO file on the virtual CD/DVD drive of the target VM.)

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*ESXi 4.1 must be installed prior to the&nbsp;Finesse installation.

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*ESXi 4.1 must be installed prior to the&nbsp;installation of Cisco Finesse Release 8.5(3).

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*Cisco UCS Hardware—Cisco Finesse&nbsp;supports a [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Specification-Based_Hardware_Support specifications-based virtualization model.] You can use any hardware platform you like (from any vendor) as long as it supports the specifications required for the VM and the OVA template. Also, you can run any other application(s) you like on that same server.

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*ESXi 5.0 must be installed prior to the installation of Cisco&nbsp;Finesse Release 9.0(1).

*Cisco UCS Hardware—Cisco Finesse&nbsp;supports a [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Specification-Based_Hardware_Support specifications-based virtualization model.] You can use any hardware platform you like (from any vendor) as long as it supports the specifications required for the VM and the OVA template. Also, you can run any other application(s) you like on that same server.

The Finesse OVA can be downloaded here: [http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/release.html?mdfid=283613135&softwareid=284236523&release=8.5.3&relind=AVAILABLE&rellifecycle=&reltype=latest&i=rm http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/release.html?mdfid=283613135&amp;softwareid=284236523&amp;release=8.5.3&amp;relind=AVAILABLE&amp;rellifecycle=&amp;reltype=latest&amp;i=rm]

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The Finesse OVA can be downloaded here: [http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/type.html?mdfid=283613135&catid=null http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/type.html?mdfid=283613135&amp;catid=null]

Finesse ISO or DVD (Note: We strongly recommend that you install Finesse by configuring a DataStore ISO file on the virtual CD/DVD drive of the target VM.)

ESXi 4.1 must be installed prior to the installation of Cisco Finesse Release 8.5(3).

ESXi 5.0 must be installed prior to the installation of Cisco Finesse Release 9.0(1).

Cisco UCS Hardware—Cisco Finesse supports a specifications-based virtualization model. You can use any hardware platform you like (from any vendor) as long as it supports the specifications required for the VM and the OVA template. Also, you can run any other application(s) you like on that same server.

Finesse-Specific Information for Sizing Guidelines

Cisco Finesse-Specific VM Information on Installation, Timekeeping, and Best Practices

Creating the Finesse Virtual Machine

Perform the following steps in vSphere client to deploy the Virtual machines:

Highlight the host or cluster to which you wish the VM to be deployed.

Select File > Deploy OVF Template.

Click the Deploy from File radio button and specify the name and location of the file you downloaded in the previous section OR click the Deploy from URL radio button and specify the complete URL in the field, then click Next.

Enter the name of the VM machine that you are creating and the location where it will be created

Choose the type of deployment (Production or Lab)

Choose the datastore on which you would like the VM to reside - be sure there is sufficient free space to accommodate the new VM, then click Next.

Verify the deployment settings, then click Finish.

Update boot order as per instructions below

Insert the Finesse disk and follow the Finesse installation guide.

Changing the Boot Order of the Virtual Machine

You must change the boot order of the Virtual Machine so that the system boots off the CD/DVD drive for the install.

To change the boot order of the Virtual Machine:

In VMware vSphere Client, power off the virtual machine onto which you deployed the OVA template.

In the left pane of vSphere Client, right-click the name of the virtual machine, and select Edit Settings.

In the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box, select the Options tab.

In the Settings column, under Advanced, select Boot Options.

Under Force BIOS Setup, check the The Next Time the Virtual Machine Boots, Force Entry into the BIOS Setup Screen check box.

Click OK to close the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box.

Power on the virtual machine (The virtual machine boots into the BIOS menu)

Navigate to the Boot menu and change the boot device order so the CD-ROM device is listed first and the Hard Drive device is listed second.

Save the change and exit BIOS setup.

Note: After finishing the installation, consider changing the boot order back so that the Hard Drive device is again listed before the CD-ROM device.